Performance of Cytoplasmic Male‐Sterile Cotton Under Natural Crossing in New Mexico1

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Abstract
Cytoplasmic male‐sterile (Gossypium harknessii Brandg. ✕ Gossypium hirsutum6 L.) lines versus similar malefertile lines of cotton were evaluated for yield and lint percentage under conditions of natural pollination for 2 years at Las Cruces, N.M. Two locations distinguished by their relative distance from a honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) apiary were used each year.Bee populations appeared to be a major factor in these experiments. Fewer bees were apparently necessary for good pollination of the male‐sterile lines than was previously reported. Eight of the twelve comparisons for yield between steriles and fertiles were statistically significant. The male‐sterile lines produced less seed cotton and lint each year in the field more distant from the bee hives. Near the apiary, the steriles produced significantly more seed cotton and seed than the fertiles. No significant differences were detected for the interactions of sterility ✕ pollinators or of sterility ✕ nectaries for any of the agronomic traits studied, although there were some indications that there was a partial honey bee preference for nectaried plants.Breeding programs which include improved Cytoplasmic male‐sterile strains and adequate populations of honey bees may provide the means for commercial production of hybrids.